Government Actuary's Department
The Government Actuary's Department is a non-ministerial department in the UK Civil Service that provides actuarial advice and analysis for the UK government and other public sector bodies.
Established in 1919, it works with government departments, devolved administrations and local authorities on long-term financial risks and policy issues. The department is headed by the Government Actuary.
History
In 1912 the government appointed a chief actuary to the National Health Insurance Joint Committee, following the Old Age Pensions Act 1908 and the National Insurance Act 1911. As the role of the Chief Actuary expanded, the post of Government Actuary was created in 1917. The Government Actuary's Department was formed two years later.The role of GAD within government expanded significantly in the 1940s and 1950s, coinciding with an expansion of the state's role in pensions, social security and health care.
By the 1980s GAD had grown into a significant actuarial consultancy within government and in 1989 the financing of GAD through an annual parliamentary vote of funds was replaced by a system of directly charging users of GAD's services. The calculation of GAD's fees is based solely on the recovery of its costs.
Role and functions
The Government Actuary's Department provides actuarial analysis, modelling and advice to the UK public sector, including government departments, devolved administrations and other public bodies. The framework document agreed between HM Treasury and the department states that most of its roles are commissioned by clients, alongside a limited number of duties set out in statute.A substantial part of its work relates to pensions, including technical advice and actuarial analysis for pensions policy development and for public service pension schemes. In its 2024–25 annual report, the department reported that this included work for officials in HM Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions, and support for bodies such as the Pension Protection Fund and The Pensions Regulator.
The department undertakes work on insurance, investment and wider long-term financial risks, including quality assurance and review of models used to assess liabilities, costs and risk exposures.
Organisation and governance
GAD is a non-ministerial department within the UK civil service. A framework document agreed with HM Treasury sets out the department's governance, accountability and financial arrangements.The framework document identifies the Government Actuary as the head of department and its Accounting Officer, with responsibilities including stewardship of public resources and maintaining effective governance and risk management arrangements. In its 2024–25 annual report, GAD reported that its funding is budgeted to be met entirely from fees charged to its clients.
In 2024–25 the department reported its headquarters as 10 South Colonnade in Canary Wharf, London, and an average of 224 employees. As of 2025 the Government Actuary was Fiona Dunsire.
Government Actuary
The Government Actuary is the principal actuarial adviser to the UK government and leads the Government Actuary's Department, acting as its Accounting Officer.The department's annual report notes statutory responsibilities connected with social security, including regular reports to the UK Parliament on the financial position of the National Insurance Fund as required by legislation. These include an annual report on the expected impact of benefit up-rating or changes in contributions, and a report every five years setting out longer-term projections for the fund. The annual report notes a statutory role for the Government Actuary in reporting in connection with reviews of the State Pension age.
List of Government Actuaries
The Government Actuary is the permanent head of the Government Actuary's Department.| Government Actuary | Took office | Left office |
| Sir Alfred Watson | 14 May 1917 | 7 May 1936 |
| Sir George Epps | 19 May 1936 | 30 November 1944 |
| Sir Percy Harvey | 1 December 1944 | 30 August 1946 |
| Sir George Maddex | 31 August 1946 | 1 April 1958 |
| Sir Herbert Tetley | 1 April 1958 | 30 April 1973 |
| Sir Edward Johnston | 1 May 1973 | 14 April 1989 |
| Christopher Daykin | 15 April 1989 | 30 September 2007 |
| Trevor Llanwarne | 1 May 2008 | 1 August 2014 |
| Martin Clarke | 1 August 2014 | 1 November 2023 |
| Fiona Dunsire | 1 November 2023 | Incumbent |
Andrew Johnston served as acting Government Actuary during April 2008.